To the Editor:
Too many local families and individuals are suddenly struggling for food, housing, employment and protection from domestic violence. Fairfield County nonprofits are trapped in a Catch-22; just as demand for their services is skyrocketing, donations are plummeting.
Where can one give to help the most? As a board member of the Fairfield County Community Foundation, I’m convinced we offer a smart solution: The Fairfield County Community Foundation will match donations to its Safety Net Giving Circle, which helps area residents hit hardest by the economic crisis.
Thanks to a matching grant from an anonymous donor, donations made to the Safety Net Giving Circle by January 15, 2009, will be matched up to $100,000. Ultimately $200,000 will be pumped into 10 area nonprofits that help residents throughout Fairfield County meet their basic needs. A giving circle pools individual donations to focus on one cause, amplifying the impact of each gift.
The 10 nonprofits are: Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Neighbor to Neighbor, Catholic Charities, Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging,
Person to Person, Operation Hope, Norwalk Community Health Center, Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Center for Women and Families, and
TBICO.
Anyone can donate online or by check. To learn more, visit www.fccfoundation.org.
Bernicestine Bailey
Westport
